Editing Lebanon (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Lebanon}}
[[File:Lebanon, Baalbek, Temple of Bacchus 2.jpg|thumb|[[Temple of Bacchus]] is considered among the best preserved [[Roman Empire|Roman]] temples in the world, {{Circa|150 AD}}.]]

The culture of Lebanon reflects the legacy of various civilizations spanning thousands of years. Originally home to the [[Canaan]]ite-[[Phoenicia]]ns, and then subsequently conquered and occupied by the [[Assyria]]ns, the [[Persia]]ns, the [[Greeks]], the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], the Arabs, the Crusaders, the [[Ottoman Turks]] and most recently the French, Lebanese culture has over the millennia evolved by borrowing from all of these groups. Lebanon's diverse population, composed of different ethnic and religious groups, has further contributed to the country's festivals, musical styles and literature as well as cuisine. Despite the ethnic, linguistic, religious and denominational diversity of the Lebanese, they "share an almost common culture".<ref name="StokesJamie">Stokes, Jamie. ''Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East'', Facts On File, 2009, p. 406 {{ISBN|0816071586}}</ref> [[Lebanese Arabic]] is universally spoken while food, music, and literature are deep-rooted "in wider Mediterranean and Levantine norms".<ref name="StokesJamie" />

=== Arts ===
In visual arts, [[Moustafa Farroukh]] was among Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Formally trained in Rome and Paris, he exhibited in venues from Paris to New York to Beirut over his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kaftoun.com/component/content/article/197-moustafa-farroukh/358-moustafa-farroukh |title=Moustafa Farroukh |publisher=Kaftoun.com |date=2 July 2010 |access-date=5 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307122305/http://www.kaftoun.com/component/content/article/197-moustafa-farroukh/358-moustafa-farroukh |archive-date=7 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many more contemporary artists are active, such as [[Walid Raad]], a contemporary media artist residing in New York.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/artist/raad/biography/ |title=Media Art Net &#124; Ra'ad, Walid: Biography |publisher=Medienkunstnetz.de |access-date=5 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430025450/http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/artist/raad/biography/ |archive-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the field of photography, the [[Arab Image Foundation]] has a collection of over 400,000 photographs from Lebanon and the Middle East. The photographs can be viewed in a research center and various events and publications have been produced in Lebanon and worldwide to promote the collection.

=== Literature ===
In literature, [[Kahlil Gibran]] is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] and [[Laozi]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/01/07/prophet-motive|title=Prophet Motive|first=Joan|last=Acocella|magazine=The New Yorker |date=31 December 2007|via=www.newyorker.com|access-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316101047/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/01/07/prophet-motive|archive-date=16 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He is particularly known for his book ''[[The Prophet (book)|The Prophet]]'' (1923), which has been translated into over twenty different languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lr/2003/01/05/stories/2003010500320500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812094242/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lr/2003/01/05/stories/2003010500320500.htm |archive-date=12 August 2010 |title=Called by life |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> [[Ameen Rihani]] was a major figure in the mahjar literary movement developed by Arab emigrants in North America, and an early theorist of [[Arab nationalism]]. [[Mikhail Naimy]] is widely recognized as among the most important figures in modern Arabic letters and among the most important spiritual writers of the 20th century. Several contemporary Lebanese writers have also achieved international success; including [[Elias Khoury]], [[Amin Maalouf]], [[Hanan al-Shaykh]], and [[Georges Schéhadé]].

=== Music ===
{{main|Music of Lebanon}}
[[File:Fairuz in btd concert 2001.jpg|thumb|[[Fairuz]]|alt=|251x251px|left]]While traditional folk music remains popular in Lebanon, modern music reconciling Western and traditional Arabic styles, pop, and [[Fusion (music)|fusion]] are rapidly advancing in popularity.<ref name="Traditional">{{cite book|last=Sheehan|first=Sean|author2=Latif Zawiah|title=Lebanon|publisher=Marshall Cavendish Children's Books|date=30 August 2007|edition=2|series=Cultures of the World|page=105|chapter=Arts|isbn=978-0-7614-2081-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cA-RDzlwVVAC&pg=PA105|access-date=19 September 2009}}</ref> Lebanese artists like [[Fairuz]], [[Majida El Roumi]], [[Wadih El Safi]], [[Sabah (singer)|Sabah]], [[Julia Boutros]] or [[Najwa Karam]] are widely known and appreciated in Lebanon and in the Arab world. Radio stations feature a variety of music, including traditional Lebanese, classical Arabic, Armenian<ref>McKenzie, Robert. ''Comparing Media from Around the World'', Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2006, p. 372 {{ISBN|0-205-40242-9}}</ref> and modern French, English, American, and [[Latin America|Latin]] tunes.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kamalipour|first=Yahya|author2=Rampal Kuldip|title=Media, sex, violence, and drugs in the global village|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.|date=15 November 2001|page=[https://archive.org/details/mediasexviolence0000unse/page/265 265]|chapter=Between Globalization and Localization|isbn=978-0-7425-0061-7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yL3l0GwdNcsC&pg=PA265|access-date=19 September 2009|url=https://archive.org/details/mediasexviolence0000unse/page/265}}</ref>

=== Media and cinema ===
The [[cinema of Lebanon]], according to film critic and historian, Roy Armes, was the only cinema in the Arabic-speaking region, besides the dominant [[Cinema of Egypt|Egyptian cinema]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Houissa|first=Ali|title=LibGuides: Middle Eastern & North African Cinema & Film: Egyptian Cinema & Film|url=https://guides.library.cornell.edu/MidEastCinema/Egypt|access-date=7 October 2021|website=guides.library.cornell.edu|language=en|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007162102/https://guides.library.cornell.edu/MidEastCinema/Egypt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dajani|first=Karen Finlon|date=1 May 1980|title=Cairo: the Hollywood of the Arab World|url=https://doi.org/10.1177/001654928002600202|journal=Gazette (Leiden, Netherlands)|language=en|volume=26|issue=2|pages=89–98|doi=10.1177/001654928002600202|s2cid=144015456|issn=0016-5492}}</ref> that could amount to a national cinema.<ref>{{cite book|author=Roy Armes|title=Arab filmmakers of the Middle East: a dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rHT8LjR_kC4C&pg=PA26|access-date=11 December 2011|date=23 August 2010|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-35518-8|pages=26–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018165125/http://books.google.com/books?id=rHT8LjR_kC4C&pg=PA26|archive-date=18 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Cinema in Lebanon has been in existence since the 1920s, and the country has produced over 500 films with many films including Egyptian filmmakers and film stars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/251761/day3creative%20Industry%20WB_version%201.pdf |title=Knowledge Intensive Industries: Four Case Studies of Creative Industries in Arab Countries |page=16 |publisher=World Bank |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117000044/http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/251761/day3creative%20Industry%20WB_version%201.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[media of Lebanon]] is not only a regional center of production but also the most liberal and free in the Arab world.<ref>{{cite book |author=Migliorino, Nicola |title=(Re)constructing Armenia in Lebanon and Syria: ethno-cultural diversity and the state in the aftermath of a refugee crisis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y_Sd32i-0owC |access-date=11 December 2011 |year=2008 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-84545-352-7 |page=122 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620233038/http://books.google.com/books?id=y_Sd32i-0owC |archive-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Press freedom's [[Reporters Without Borders]], "the media have more freedom in Lebanon than in any other Arab country".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791071.stm |title=Lebanon profile – Overview |work=BBC News |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102101223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791071.stm |archive-date=2 November 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite its small population and geographic size, Lebanon plays an influential role in the production of information in the Arab world and is "at the core of a regional media network with global implications".<ref name="b1">{{cite book|author1=Dale F. Eickelman|author2=Jon W. Anderson|title=New media in the Muslim world: the emerging public sphere|url=https://archive.org/details/newmediainmuslim00dale|url-access=registration|access-date=11 December 2011|date=1 July 2003|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-34252-2|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newmediainmuslim00dale/page/63 63]–65}}</ref>

=== Holidays and festivals ===
{{Main|Public holidays in Lebanon}}Lebanon celebrates national and both [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christian]] and [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslim]] holidays. Christian holidays are celebrated following both the [[Gregorian calendar]] and [[Julian calendar]]. [[Greek Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Greek Orthodox]] (with the exception of Easter), [[Roman Catholicism in Lebanon|Catholics]], [[Protestantism in Lebanon|Protestants]], and [[Melkite Christianity in Lebanon|Melkite]] Christians follow the Gregorian Calendar and thus celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Armenian [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Apostolic]] Christians celebrate Christmas on 6 January, as they follow the Julian Calendar. Muslim holidays are followed based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslim holidays that are celebrated include Eid al-Fitr (the three-day feast at the end of the Ramadan month), Eid al-Adha (The Feast of the Sacrifice) which is celebrated during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and also celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, the Birth of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]], and Ashura (the Shiite Day of Mourning). Lebanon's National Holidays include Workers Day, Independence Day, and Martyrs Day. Music festivals, often hosted at historical sites, are a customary element of Lebanese culture.<ref name="Festivals">{{cite book|last=Sheehan|first=Sean|author2=Latif |others=Zawiah|title=Lebanon|publisher=Marshall Cavendish Children's Books|date=30 August 2007|series=Cultures of the World|volume=13|page=123|chapter=Leisure|isbn=978-0-7614-2081-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cA-RDzlwVVAC&pg=PA123}}</ref> Among the most famous are [[Baalbeck International Festival]], [[Byblos International Festival]], [[Beiteddine Festival|Beiteddine International Festival]], Jounieh International Festival, Broumana Festival, Batroun International Festival, Ehmej Festival, Dhour Chwer Festival and Tyr Festival.<ref name="Festivals" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Carter|first=Terry|author2=Dunston Lara|others=Humphreys Andrew|title=Syria & Lebanon|publisher=Lonely Planet|date=1 August 2004|edition=2|series=Guidebook Series|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781864503333/page/11 11]|chapter=Getting Started|isbn=978-1-86450-333-3|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EskzgI-229IC&pg=PA11|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781864503333/page/11}}</ref> These festivals are promoted by Lebanon's [[Ministry of Tourism (Lebanon)|Ministry of Tourism]]. Lebanon hosts about 15 concerts from international performers each year, ranking 1st for nightlife in the Middle East, and 6th worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb/news/Details.aspx?NewsId=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722145040/http://www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb/news/Details.aspx?NewsId=10 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |title=Lebanon Summer & Winter Festivals |publisher=Lebanese Ministry of Tourism |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Lebanese cuisine}}

Lebanese cuisine is similar to those of many countries in the [[Eastern Mediterranean]], such as Syria, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. The Lebanese national dishes are the [[kibbe]], a meat pie made from finely minced [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] and [[burghul]] (cracked [[wheat]]), and the [[tabbouleh]], a salad made from [[parsley]], [[tomato]]es, and [[burghul]] wheat.  Lebanese restaurant meals begin with a wide array of [[mezze]] – small savoury dishes, such as dips, salads, and pastries. The mezze are typically followed by a selection of grilled [[meat]] or [[fish]]. In general, meals are finished with [[Arabic coffee]] and fresh [[fruit]], though sometimes a selection of traditional sweets will be offered as well.

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Lebanon}}
[[File:Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium 2018 - Beirut derby (Nejmeh fans).png|thumb|[[Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium]] in [[Beirut]]]]
Lebanon has six [[Skiing in Lebanon|ski resorts]]. The country's unique geography makes it possible to go skiing in the morning and swimming in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] in the afternoon.<ref name="Aikman2009">{{cite book|author=Aikman, David|title=The Mirage of Peace: Understanding the Never-Ending Conflict in the Middle East|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RI0o-bfRAvIC&pg=PA48|access-date=2 February 2013|date=14 August 2009|publisher=Gospel Light Publications|isbn=978-0-8307-4605-7|page=48|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621091514/http://books.google.com/books?id=RI0o-bfRAvIC&pg=PA48|archive-date=21 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> At the competitive level, basketball and [[Association football|football]] are among Lebanon's most popular sports. [[Canoeing]], [[cycling]], [[rafting]], [[climbing]], swimming, sailing and [[caving]] are among the other common leisure sports in Lebanon. The [[Beirut Marathon]] is held every fall, drawing top runners from Lebanon and abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beirutmarathon.org |title=About BMA &#124; Marathon |publisher=Beirutmarathon.org |date=19 October 2003 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222223634/http://beirutmarathon.org/ |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Rugby league in Lebanon|Rugby league]] is a relatively new but growing sport in Lebanon. The [[Lebanon national rugby league team]] participated in the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Hadfield |first=Dave |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/lebanese-rugby-league-team-in-storm-over-funny-substances-636051.html |title=Lebanese rugby league team in storm over funny substances – Rugby League – More Sports |work=The Independent |date=24 October 2000 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110204851/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/lebanese-rugby-league-team-in-storm-over-funny-substances-636051.html |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and narrowly missed qualification for the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/samoa-into-world-cup/story-e6frep5x-1111114882761 |title=Samoa beats Lebanon to be last team in league world cup |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |date=14 November 2007 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131063021/http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/samoa-into-world-cup/story-e6frep5x-1111114882761 |archive-date=31 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[2013 Rugby League World Cup|2013]] tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Rugby/2011/Oct-31/152639-lebanons-rugby-world-cup-bid-ends-with-draw.ashx |title=Lebanon's Rugby World Cup bid ends with draw &#124; Sports, Rugby |work=The Daily Star |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619005312/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Rugby/2011/Oct-31/152639-lebanons-rugby-world-cup-bid-ends-with-draw.ashx |archive-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> They qualified again for the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup|2017 World Cup]] reaching the quarter-finals, narrowly losing 24–22 to [[Tonga national rugby league team|Tonga]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Risso |first1=Angelo |title=Tonga hold on against gallant Lebanon |url=http://www.nrl.com/tonga-hold-on-against-gallant-lebanon/tabid/10874/newsid/115449/default.aspx |website=[[National Rugby League|NRL Telstra Premiership]] |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031032/http://www.nrl.com/tonga-hold-on-against-gallant-lebanon/tabid/10874/newsid/115449/default.aspx |archive-date=1 December 2017 |date=18 November 2017}}</ref> This ensured qualification for [[2021 Rugby League World Cup|2021]]. However, their 2021 quarterfinal was not as competitive, losing 48–4 to eventual champions [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rugby League World Cup : Quarter Finals |url=https://rlwc2021.com/report/59 |website=[[2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup|Rugby League World Cup 2021]] |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622103122/https://rlwc2021.com/report/59 |archive-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> Lebanon also took part in the [[2009 European Cup]] where, after narrowly failing to qualify for the final, the team defeated [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]] to finish 3rd in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rugby-league-nations/91-rugby-league-test-match-or-international-game/862-2009-rugby-league-european-cup-flashback |title=2009 Rugby League European Cup Flashback |publisher=Rugby League Planet |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521021019/http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rugby-league-nations/91-rugby-league-test-match-or-international-game/862-2009-rugby-league-european-cup-flashback |archive-date=21 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[File:2020-21_Ahed_vs_Ansar_02.jpg|thumb|[[Al Ansar FC]] in [[Beirut]]]]Lebanon participates in [[basketball]]. The [[Lebanon men's national basketball team|Lebanese National Team]] qualified for the [[FIBA World Championship]] three times in a row.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/team/p/sid/5195/tid/317/profile.html |title=Team Lebanon Profile - 2011 FIBA Asia Championship &#124; FIBA.COM |publisher=London2012.fiba.com |date=23 August 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529131857/http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/team/p/sid/5195/tid/317/profile.html |archive-date=29 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/team/p/sid/4728/tid/317/profile.html |title=Team Lebanon Profile – 2010 FIBA World Championship |publisher=Fiba.com |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110164453/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/team/p/sid/4728/tid/317/profile.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dominant basketball teams are [[Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/47119/arti.html |title=FIBA Asia – Thrilla in Manila Part II: Riyadi down Mahram again, this time in final video |publisher=Fiba.Com |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110161528/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/47119/arti.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who are the Arab and Asian champions, and [[Sagesse SC (basketball)|Club Sagesse]], who have earned the Asian and Arab championships.

[[Football in Lebanon|Football]] is also among the more popular sports in the country. The top football league is the [[Lebanese Premier League]], whose most successful clubs are [[Al Ansar FC]] and [[Nejmeh SC]]. In recent years, Lebanon has hosted the [[AFC Asian Cup]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00asch.html |title=Asian Nations Cup 2000 |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401085957/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/00asch.html |archive-date=1 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Pan Arab Games]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=208 |title=2nd Pan Arab Games |publisher=goalzz.com |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105131018/http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=208 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lebanon hosted the [[2009 Jeux de la Francophonie]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20090927-culture-sports-lebanon-beirut-games-francophone-youth |title=Nine days of sport and culture in Beirut |publisher=FRANCE 24 |date=27 September 2009 |access-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021234302/http://www.france24.com/en/20090927-culture-sports-lebanon-beirut-games-francophone-youth |archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> and [[Lebanon at the Olympics|have participated]] in every [[Olympic Games]] since its independence, winning a total of four medals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/athletes |title=Athletes &#124; Heroes |publisher=International Olympic Committee |date=26 June 2012 |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529111510/http://www.olympic.org/athletes |archive-date=29 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Water sports have also shown to be very active in the past years, in Lebanon. Since 2012 and with the emergence of the Lebanon Water Festival NGO, more emphasis has been placed on those sports, and Lebanon has been pushed forward as a water sport destination internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lebanonwaterfestival.com/|title=Lebanon Water Festival|website=lebanonwaterfestival.com|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817071438/http://lebanonwaterfestival.com/|archive-date=17 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> They host different contests and water show sports that encourage their fans to participate and win big.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lebanonwaterfestival.com/past-festivals/|title=Past Festivals « Lebanon Water Festival|website=lebanonwaterfestival.com|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905192243/http://lebanonwaterfestival.com/past-festivals/|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>